Has anyone done the "Rap Tour" and have any input on the trip. I am thinking of doing it together with some friends most likely in February and I am just wondering what kind of a trip it is, accomodations, distance between fuel stops that sort of thing. Hopefully you guys can help me out :beerchug:

3 day easy ride 175 miles per day,fuel no problem,best stops north bay. pembrook,haliburton

Has snow been consistent enough to get around last few years? Wanted to do it myself. You could hit North Bay in one day.

Did it last year, got the sticker.
If you talk to the the people at the Mattawa golf and ski, they can hook you up with people around the park.

Dwelsh.......I don't know where you are starting from but it is the trip is approximately 440 miles. Thats if you run the lakes ie Kennisis, Sherbourn, Raven to Dorset. That area is well tracked and nice lakes and is a big time saver. From Dorset to Powassin (D101B). You can go right to Mattawa or up to North Bay to spend a night. Churchill's is a nice restuarant in North Bay. If you stop on Mattawa, I would recommend the Valois. Rooms are ok, but nice dinner overlooking the river. Not much between great between there and Petawawa and we never go into Pembrook. We jump on Golden Lake and head towards Barry's Bay. A great place to spend a night is Spectilcle Lake Lodge between BB and Whitney.

Pick yourself up a near north trail map.....lots more advertised on there.

Gas will not be a problem.....The following places have gas. Dorset, Dwight, Kearney, Powassin, North Bay, Mattawa, Petawawa, Barry's Bay, and Whitney.

If you tell me where you are starting from, i would be happy to help you some more.

the dawg :div20:

did the trip 2 years ago late feb first of mar,lots of snow.We started at kinmount,went to northbay for the night(better entertainment possibilities here-fanny"s or the moe-z LOL)then a beautiful ride to pembrooke on day 2 where we stayed at the best western,then a shorter 3 third day back to kinmount.We where back to the mount by 2pm after a lunch stop in haliburton.Our total was 650 miles for the 3 days,but we had a long first day.One of the trails was closed at south river and we ended up going a long way to the west and had to come all the way back.We put on 272 miles from kinmount to northbay and 12 hours of riding and yes we rode all the lakes as well.We are thinking of doing it again this year but making it a 4 day trip by taking an extra loop somewhere

Some good info so far.

Places to stay in North Bay - I recommend the Northern Suites. It is located right on Lakeshore road with easy access. It is Owned by the same people who own the Terrace Suites out in Callander. The bad part about Terrace Suites is they do not have restaurant and are quite far out of town.

http://www.northernsuites.com/

http://www.terracesuites.com/

There is an East Side Marios in North Bay, on Lakeshore just north of the hotel strip. You can take a cab or just ride your sled up the lake and into their parking lot.

If you stop in Pembroke the Best Western is a great option and sledder friendly.

If you are interested in something a bit different their is this wonderful B&B that has it's rooms set up more like apartments. I was booked there 2 years ago - but cancelled due to lack of snow. The owner seemed to be very accomodating to having sledders. She offered to have breakfast ready for our schedule. It is a pretty sweet looking place.

http://www.greygablesmanor.com/



Just an FYI

Last season the Petro Canada in Dwight (at the corner of Hwy #60 and Hwy #35) was closed. It is also the Beacon Yamaha dealer. So the only gas in Dwight was over toward Oxtongue Lake. Much less convenient. I do not know if the Petro Canada has reopened.

the ride from Pet back to Whitney is a great one. We did Gilmour to Pet and back one day (563km) long day.
By the way there are no strippers in Pet or Pembroke. :banghead:
Grub at spectacle lake lodge is good. Has anyone ran down the lake to get there?

Fushionguy......That really sucked at Trout Creek, when the trail closed. Last year they changed the map.The trail now takes you over HWY 11 and north on the road to Powassin. I heard they were trying to get a trail on an old abandoned railway line east of Trout Creek. Probably the same line that runs into Astorville.....lets hope!

RR......The petro is closed for good in Dwight , but Oxtongue is still open. I heard The Boiler Room went out of business as well???

dawg

places like that will continue to change hands...

not enough $$$ year round...

& too many waste cases.....

the old days of ridin' with a case are near over... hopefully..........

For complete info on the RAP Tour and many others in Ontario and Quebec, check out a new touring book called Canada's Best Snowmobilibng, Your Ultimate Ride Guide. In addition to a story that describes each tour, it also lists what trails to take, the best lodgings and tips for making your tour enjoyable. The book is available on line at www.snowgoercanada.com

Fushion.......If you want a little bigger loop.....try going to Port Loring via Sprucedale and Ardbeg. Nice Lake trail that takes you to Port Loring, but don't land after dark. The lights go out pretty early in that town. Next day you head thru Restoule and jump on Nipissing to North Bay.

dawg :beerchug:

:augen41:

The new Muskoka trail map shows gas at Oxtongue, Beacon Yamaha (ASC trail #77) and just down the lake from Dwight at Bondi Resort.

:div20: :div20:

To MSR for including gas stations on the trail map! I realize they aren't ALL on there, but it' sure better than having none listed.

Interesting - because Beacon Yamaha WAS the Petro Canada Station. So it looks like we do not have concrete info on if it is open. It is very possible the map is wrong.

I do believe the Boiler Room is closed. However - someone might take it over and run it for the winter (the busy season). Personally I stay far away!!

I doubt the map is wrong - Beacon PAID to be a listed advertiser on the map and included gas in their listing....

Why do you "stay far away" from the boiler room? I was there a couple times last season and it seemed like a great place to stop and have something to eat.

thanks yarddawg! We where thinking of splitting up the west side of the trip into 2 days,so that is a good option you have.

Thinking of doing the Rap tour also, would be coming from states thru Ny from Rt.81
Where is good place to start? I hear alot of different mileage totals.Would like 150 to 250 a day
Any suggestions